Rivalries ruined chances - Scholes

02 October 2011 10:35

The 36-year-old, now undertaking a coaching role at Old Trafford, retired from international football in 2004. But he revealed there was an atmosphere of suspicion between players from rival clubs during his time in the squad.

"There is a big rivalry between clubs in this country and it isn't healthy when you go away on international duty," he told the Sunday Mirror.

"When I was with England, there was always a lot of United players and Liverpool players in the squad and it was plainly obvious that some of our lads didn't like some of their boys and some of their lads didn't like some of us.

"We weren't just footballers, we actually loved the clubs we played for and the rivalry was always there. As Mancs and Scousers we were always a bit suspicious of each other and you can't have that kind of thing if you want to be successful at international level.

"You can't build a team or a spirit when that rivalry is always close to the surface. It was always too big to get over."

Earlier this week Scholes expressed a measure of sympathy with Carlos Tevez, who allegedly refused to appear as a substitute for Manchester City against Bayern Munich this week.

And in Sunday's Observer, Scholes, who went through a similar experience in League Cup tie for United in 2001, said: "The thing with Tevez is that [City manager Roberto] Mancini's definitely messing him about, which, when you're a player, you don't take kindly to.

"He's definitely trying to punish him for saying he wants to leave, because without doubt he was City's best player last season.

"To me it looks like he wants to play, but he can't cope with being sub. When you're a player you get the sense that - he's messing me about, I maybe have to show him I can't be messed about."